Leopold thomas



(Nn lodel.)

L.. THOMAS.

Low Water Indicator.

Patented Feb. 15,1881.

IIMIHIM'EI UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

TO JOHN A. DEKNATEL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

LOW-WATER IN DICATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,929, dated February15, 1881.

Application filed December 31, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEOPOLD THOMAS, a citizen of' the United States,residing at Hoboken, in the county of Hudson, and State of' New Jersey,have invented new and useful Improvements in Low -Water Indicators forSteam-Boilers, of' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for indi- 1o eating the level ofthewater in steam-boilers; and it consists in the combination, with thesteaui-boiler, of' a laterally-vibratory vessel having its upper endsuspended from a fixed pivot, and its lower portion extending` below i5and its upper portion above the water-line of the boiler, said portionsbeing connected by flexible pipes with the water and steam spaces of'the boiler, respectively, a scale-beam projecting laterally from saidvessel, and a balance-weight arranged for adjustment upon saidscale-beam, so that the swinging vessel may be counterbalanced in itsperpendicular position when the water is at the proper level or heightin the boiler, and when the water falls below such level the vessel isbrought out of that position. An alarm or signal mechanism adapted to beoperated by the movement ofthe swinging vessel shows its position.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 represents a vertical central section. Fig. 2 is a front view.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The letter A designates the swinging vessel, B O its liexibleconnections with the boiler,

and D the scale-beam.

The swinging vessel A is hung ou a pivot,

e, secured to the boiler or any other suitable support, and it is madesteam and water tight.

The dexible connections B O consistof pieces of india-rubber tubing, orthey may be coinposed ofjointed tubes of metal or other material, andthe points at which the same are joined to the boiler are opposite tothe water and steam spaces, respectively.

The scale-beam D is a fixture of' the swinging vessel A, and carriesabalance-weight, f.

It will be seen that both water and steam are admitted to the swingingvessel A from 5o the boiler, and hence the level of the water is thesame in both. Now, when the water has arisen to the desired level thebalance-weight fis set to counterbalance the swinging vessel A in theperpendicular position to which it is brought by the weight of the watertherein, and when the water falls below such level the balance-weightovercomes the weight ot` the water and swings thc vessel out of itsposition, thus indicating low water. A try-cock, H, is applied to thebottom ofl the swinging vessel. 6o

In order to increase the et't'ect of the swinging vessel A, I make useof an alarm mechanism which is adapted to be operated by the movementofl the vessel. In this example this alarm mechanism consists ofanelectric switch, G, which is arranged in the path of the scalebeam D, sothat the latter comes in contact therewith when the vessel A is swungout of a vertical position, thus closing a circuit for operating thealarm-bell; but this mechanism 7o can be modified in various ways whichwill readily suggest themselves to a skilled mechanic.

l/Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a steam-boiler, of a laterally-vibratory vesselhaving its upper end suspended from a lixed pivot and its lower portionextending below and its upper portion above the water-line of theboiler, said por- 8o tions being connected by flexible pipes with thewater and steam spaces, respectively, of the boiler, a scale-beamprojecting laterally from the said vessel, and a balance-weight arrangedfor adjustment upon said scale-beam, substantially as described, and forthe purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the vessel A, suspended from a fixed point, andhaving its upper and lower portions respectively connected 9o byiiexible pipes with the steam and water spaces of the boiler, of thescale-beam D and alarm device O, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEOPOLD THOMAS.

Witnesses:

E. F. KASTENHUBER, CHAs. WAHLEEs.

